Plaque Psoriasis (Psoriasis Vulgaris)

With four out of five (or 80% of) people with psoriasis having plaque psoriasis, plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis. In fact, its technical name Psoriasis Vulgaris means “common psoriasis”.

Plaque psoriasis is characterized by large areas patches forming particularly on the limbs and trunk; including the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. However, it can appear on any part of the body. The areas affected by plaque psoriasis may join together, or coalesce, into large, symmetrical masses spread over extensive areas of the skin. Plaque psoriasis is usually accompanied by scalp and nail psoriasis.

1. Symptoms of Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque Psoriases can appear on any area of skin, but it will most likely affect the elbows, knees, navel, and lower back. Initially appearing as small spots, Plaque Psoriasis can enlarge into patches of raised, red skin (referred to as “plaques” or “lesions”). These lesions will vary in size, and are well defined. The psoriasis-affected area of skin will be very dry, with the silvery-white looking scales that are typical of psoriasis. These scales (called “scale”) appearing on top of the plaques are merely composed of dead skin cells. Scale will come loose and be constantly shedding off of the plaques. Although Plaque psoriasis usually will not cause itching, itching, itching, cracking, and pain on the skin may also be symptoms of plaque psoriasis.

2. Types of Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis also has some more uncommon subtypes, including:

Lesions in the shape of a cone or limpet, called Rupioid psoriasis;

Areas of psoriases which have been chronically rubbed, and that have become very thickened, referred to as Lichenified psoriasis;

Very large, very thickly scaled and persistent areas of psoriasis, or Elephantine psoriasis;

Psoriasis resembling an oyster shell, which is very thickly scaled and in ring- shapes, or Ostraceous psoriasis;

Psoriasis arranged in lines along the body, which often correspond to fetal developmental lines, or Linear psoriasis;

Psoriasis which is worst in the sun-exposed areas of the face, neck, hands and forearms, called Photosensitive psoriasis. This type of psoriasis will require strict sun protection combined with other forms of treatment. These other forms of treatment usually include the use of ultraviolet light. Some people with photosensitive psoriasis will experience flare-ups of their rash after sun exposure, which leads to the appearance of lines resembling a sunburn. These patients with Photosensitive psoriasis may also have typical plaque psoriasis on other areas of the body.

3. Traditional and Alternative Treatment of Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

As with other types of psoriasis, Plaque Psoriasis generally is a persistant, chronic pattern of psoirasis, which can be improved with treatment, but proves to be difficult to cure with just topical treatments.